if anybody wants to contribute positive predictions for next year here's the place. Personally I think we will become a good ditributing team. Amare's getting better at passing out of the double team, D'anotoni remarked that Z is a potential point forward, someone you can run the ball through, and given the number of assists he gets in his limited minutes this looks entirely probable. JJ is a good SG passer and might be the oversize point they are hoping he will become. Voshkul reads the floor well for a big man (no Brad Miller but then again who is). The big question is whether Barbosa will become a playmaker. So far their commentary has been optimistic. There is a very good chance the Cavs will make the playoffs. Their pick will be around 16 due to their record so even aftre the Utah trade we still have the option of getting the 5th and 16th (either one can change of course) pick if we want them. This means we might be able to fill positions or make draft day trades for future picks. And yes, we could get rid of White or Eisley with it. I think the middle option might be best because this draft looks kind of weak). Then there is always the well hyped Vujanic. We might end up with two scoring points who don't distribute though... my main reservation concerning next year. He might take a year to develop but stojakavic thinks he'll be ready quickly. With Barbosa more developed we'll have a hot at getting point production from that position (leaving only C). Harvey has been looking good when they give him minutes. We might be able to draft a rookie PF (Okaphor if we get lucky but otherwise I like Humphries because he's got good college experience and isn't scrawny like a Travis outlaw or any of these other swing forwards) and let him develop at the Lampe pace. Lampe looks bigger than Voshkul. Maybe he could play Center after all. I think if all turns out well we'll at least give Memphis Utah and Denver a run for their money. Plus once Portland gets rid of more delinquents (which they plan to) there will be one less contender for a playoff seed. Here's hoping.
Yeah, I think Z is the best project we have. Before getting injured, I thought he was playing really well, scoring, rebounding, passing, and defense. Lampe actually shows potential when he's out on the court, but he's still so young. Give him a couple years, and he could be another Peja. Barbosa is a good scorer, but I don't think a good point. He doesn't yet have the court vision that is needed, I think JJ has better point ability. As far as the draft, I say the Suns use all their picks to trade for some quality free agents. They're already the youngest team in the league, and with Vujanic coming next season, they'll be even younger. They need some veteral leadership to help guys like Z and Lampe, and Barbosa develop. Plus, yeah, the draft this year is pretty weak. They need someone to come in and make an instant impact, not someone who might be good three years down the road.
The Lineup yesterday was kinda odd, with JJ at the point, Marion at the 2, Zarko at the 3, Amare PF and Vouskuhl at the 5. I know JJ can play the point b/c he's very versatile, but it just looked odd even though Zark didn't play much. I think all we need to do it get a Center in the draft, thats really the only need for the team. We have every other position: PG: Barbosa/Milos SG: Johnson/Jacobsen SF: Marion/Carbakapa PF: Amare/Lampe C: Draft Pick/Voskuhl
I was all for the Stephon Marbury trade, The Phoenix suns NOW have unlimited potential for the future. First off, Phoenix currently has a solid three man core to build around in Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and Shawn Marion. Secondly, they have an abundance of young talent to develop in Barbosa, Zarko, Lampe, Jacobson, etc. Factor that in with the several draft picks they've obtained, and their draft pick in this year's draft that's likely to be a top selection. Not to mention PHX will have a good chunk of cap space to sign a superstar level free agent. In my opinion I'd try and draft for a center and perhaps sign a point guard, than from 1-5 The Phoenix Suns are SOLID!
I love the young core of Marion, Johnson, and Amare that the Suns have. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Marion got traded in the offseason though. I love Shawn and I think he has been great for the Suns but I just have a feeling he won't be there next season.. Maybe some kind of trade will come up or something but I just have that feeling. Joe and Amare have a great future together and I'm really hoping Phoenix can draft a real PG, because I'm not really into the Barbosa hype. I've seen him score big in a couple of games, but all he can really do is shoot and even that's pretty inconsistent from what I've seen. I can't see the Suns being a good playoff team anytime soon, but I think they'll be up there some day as long as they keep their core players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">I was all for the Stephon Marbury trade, The Phoenix suns NOW have unlimited potential for the future. First off, Phoenix currently has a solid three man core to build around in Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and Shawn Marion. Secondly, they have an abundance of young talent to develop in Barbosa, Zarko, Lampe, Jacobson, etc. Factor that in with the several draft picks they've obtained, and their draft pick in this year's draft that's likely to be a top selection. Not to mention PHX will have a good chunk of cap space to sign a superstar level free agent. In my opinion I'd try and draft for a center and perhaps sign a point guard, than from 1-5 The Phoenix Suns are SOLID!</div> The suns traded a few of their picks (2 first rounders, and 1 second if i'm not mistaken) to Utah in the Gugliotta trade...
barbosa at suns.com: "Ranks #15 in the NBA in Three-Point Field Goals Per 48 Minutes(2.68) Ranks #3 in the NBA in Steals Per 48 Minutes(2.92) " all his shooting percentages are very good and he is averaging two steals a game. he is just so damn quick it's exciting to watch him. being a playmaker is the big question. I don't think there are many centers to be had in the draft, but it'd be nice. I get the Marion traded vibe as well. Mainly it's do to his regalurly bad shooting percentages this year. It seems like to many games he's gone 4 for 17 or something. Plus he might not give a playoff boost. I like him and don't want him traded though.
Well first, I love Shawn, he's easily the most liable Sun, unlike Amare's he's always upbeat, and seems legitimately happy when he's around people. And he does more for the community than anybody else in Phoenix... plus he's an all-star basketball player. I wish it works out to where he can stay here, I know his contract makes it hard for an owner trying to sell a team, his shooting hasn't been the best, and he takes shots away from Joe and Amare... so I can too see him going, but I'd rather not think about it. I am so down on Barbosa right now, he showed some amazing basketball his first 10 or so starts, but ever since then I haven't seen ANYTHING good from him. His steals are about it, and those are only because he overplays on defense and usually gets burned due to it. So I have my gripes about him, but if he can play like he WAS, then next year should we should be solid at the PG with Vujanic and Barbosa. Zarko played pretty well tonight against Dallas. I miss his early days, he used to have no fear driving to the basket, now I notice he's a bit scared to after his injury... which is understandable, but a monster dunk over somebody should clear those doubts out. Draft picks, the Suns are only going to have their pick this year. The New York picks are Utah's possession and regardless if the Cavs make the playoffs or not, Colangelo reportedly has a hand-shake agreement with Charlotte to give them $3 Mil + Cavs #1 for them to take White. Sorry to keep harping on it, but it's what I hear, so when I think of the draft I only see the Suns' with their top 5 pick. I say trade it, but for a team on the market, I don't think Colangelo wants to take on more salary, he'd rather have rookie contracts. I just hope the teams get sold quickly to an owner who is all about winning (e.g.> Mark Cuban) and having a good time... I don't want Jordan or Magic to buy the team, we all know what Jordan can do (tear a team apart within 2 seasons) and Magic doesn't live in the valley and isn't a Phoenix guy... I want somebody who lives in Phoenix, or plans to live here to buy the team.
Lets not get too hard on Barbosa, he's still a rookie, so we should wait and see how he improves next year before going hard on him. He needs to got to summer league (don't know if he's playing for Brazil or something), and if he works on his playmaking he'll be much better. He needs to improve his drive and dish, and he's also very quick at getting down the court which is very good. PS: He fouled out in 18 minutes today AHH.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I just hope the teams get sold quickly to an owner who is all about winning (e.g.> Mark Cuban) and having a good time... I don't want Jordan or Magic to buy the team, we all know what Jordan can do (tear a team apart within 2 seasons) and Magic doesn't live in the valley and isn't a Phoenix guy... I want somebody who lives in Phoenix, or plans to live here to buy the team.</div> How 'bout Charles Barkley. I'm excited right now, I just bought my tickets to this Saturday's game where they're going to but Chuck in the Suns' Ring of Honor.
charles just said on the suns.com radio transcript that he was interested in owning a team or being GM. He still owns a house in the area AND Mark West (current assistant president of operations) was one of his three favorite players from his phoenix days. Pretty sweet. A very long shot but it'd be cool. I haven't read his book. Anybody read it? I agree with trading the draft pick. We will have a full roster (two solid at each position) if we get a FA center like Dampier or Camby. Vujanic and Barbosa may be inexperienced in the NBA but acquiring a rookie point guard won't fix that. Anybody know if they played Lampe at C or PF against LA?
